UConn learns next NCAA opponent

Third-seeded Iowa State beat No. 6 North Carolina, 85-83, Sunday to advance to the East Region Sweet Sixteen.

Two years ago, UConn lost its NCAA tourney opener to Iowa State, 77-64, in Louisville. It was the only meeting between the two teams.

Seventh-seeded UConn (28-8) will play Iowa State (28-7) Friday night at Madison Square Garden in New York. Game time is 7:27 p.m.

Iowa State, which finished third in the Big 12 this season with an 11-7 mark, relies on a balanced attack.

DeAndre Kane led the way against North Carolina, finishing with 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. He scored the game-winning basket on a driving layup with 1.6 seconds left. Melvin Ejim (19), Dustin Hogue (14), Monte Morris (13) and Naz Long (12) also scored in double figures.

In the 2012 NCAA loss, Napier scored a game-high 22 points. Eljim had 11 points and five rebounds for Iowa State.

UConn will be making its second Sweet Sixteen appearance in the last four years. It is Iowa State's first trip to the regional semifinals since 2000.

All four practices -- UConn, Iowa State, Michigan State and Virginia -- on Thursday at Madison Square Garden are open to the public. The Huskies work out first, going from noon to 12:50 p.m.